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Holmes Hall

Guiding the Future of NC State

Holmes Hall is a three-story academic and student support building located on Cates Avenue on the university’s central campus. Originally completed in 2007, the building was named Holmes Hall in 2018 to honor Irwin Holmes, the first African-American to receive an undergraduate degree from NC State in 1960.

Holmes Hall is home to Exploratory Studies which is a comprehensive program designed to meet the needs of first-year students who wish to explore their options in order to find a “best fit” major. Holmes Hall is also where the Disability Resource Office is located.

Meet Adam and hear his experience of Holmes Hall:

Honoring Irwin Holmes

Dedicated in 2018, the hall recognizes Irwin Holmes, the first African American to earn an undergraduate degree from NC State.

Home to Exploratory Studies

Holmes Hall serves as the central home for NC State’s Exploratory Studies program, helping students discover their academic and career paths.

Eliminating Barriers

Essential to the university’s mission, the Disability Resource Office, housed in Holmes Hall, works to ensure all students can participate in the NC State experience.

The front entrance of Holmes Hall
The front entrance of Holmes Hall.
The inside of Holmes Hall.
The inside of Holmes Hall.
The Exploratory Studies program office is within Holmes Hall.
The Exploratory Studies program office within Holmes Hall.

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Take a 3D Tour

3D Tour Description

Holmes Hall features a series of connected interior spaces including a front desk area, waiting areas, and office hallways. The main entrance opens into a tiled lobby with a service desk. A counter faces the entrance, with office materials and equipment visible behind it.

Beyond the lobby, the space transitions into carpeted hallways with light-colored walls and overhead fluorescent lighting. Long corridors extend in multiple directions, with offices lining both sides. Some rooms have interior windows, allowing visibility into spaces where groups of people are seated at tables.

Waiting areas are located throughout the space and include upholstered chairs and couches in red and neutral tones, arranged around small tables. Wall-mounted screens, signage and framed displays are visible in these areas. One section features a red accent wall with “Exploratory Studies” displayed, along with additional seating.

Additional features include bulletin boards and wall art. Windows at the ends of hallways provide natural light, and recycling bins are placed nearby.

Overall, Holmes Hall is organized with a mix of service counters, seating areas and office corridors arranged to support administrative and student-facing functions.

Explore Your Interests

Discover your best-fit major through Exploratory Studies at NC State. With personalized advising, career assessment and guided exploration, students gain the clarity and confidence to choose a major and move forward with purpose.

Students work on physics homework at DH Hill, Jr. Library during the fall 2025 semester.